The French and Indian War

The French and Indian War (The Seven Years War)  (1754-1763)

2-Page Paper by Madison Nef

The French and Indian war was started when both Britain and France claimed territories in the New World. This territory was the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. At the time, the Native Americans inhabited these lands, and they were very attached to their land.

After much trading and begging, the Indians eventually allied with France, as the French knew that the Indians were all about getting things- so they would do good fur trades and other trading with the Indians for their alliance.

Because this war is well known in the United States as the French and Indian war, many think that the title refers to an on-going battle between the French and the Indians. However, the war's title instead refers to the friendship between the two groups.

The French and Indian war was different from some of the other battles that had been fought. The number one reason it stood out was because many previous wars started in Europe, and then spread to other parts of the world as the war progressed. However, the French and Indian war was started in North America, and so war erupted more in North America than anywhere else.

This conflict lasted for two years before England officially declared war with the French in 1756. For the next nine years, the French and British battled for dominance of the Indian territory. In the beginning, the French had many great successes such as the defeat of General Braddock in 1755. Early success was attributed to the Native American allies. The Indians feared the British with their weapons, and believed the settlers would drive them away from their homes.

However, the French victories did not last long. In 1757, British forces captured Fort Duquesne. Two years later, the successes continued with the captures of Forts Quebec and Niagara. Once the French city Montreal collapsed, the French were through with fighting. Montreal had been their main post, and with it gone, the French were helpless.

The French and Indian war was brought to an end in 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris was signed to officially end the French and Indian war. It was signed by Britain, France, and Spain. It stated that the British would get the lands east of the Mississippi River and Canada, while Spain would get Louisiana in compensation for Florida, which was also given to the British. It was a wonderful success for the British.

 Before the war's finale and the signing of the treaty, the battlefield had extended to Asia, other parts of Europe, and Africa. Unfortunately, France lost control of all of its colonies, and England gained possession of Canada and the territory between the eastern United States and the Mississippi River. The French were driven back out of Canada, which the British now had control over.

Here is a map of where the war took place, and where the different forts and victories by both sides were:

 

Although the war with France ended in 1763 with the signing of the treaty, the Indians were poor losers and continued to fight with the British over the issue of land claims. "Pontiac's War" was started shortly after the Treaty of Paris was signed, and many of the battlefields that had been fought on previously—including Detroit, Fort Pitt, and Niagara—were the same.

The Indians, however, were already worn out by many years of war, and quickly lost to the ferocious British retaliation. Even though the British won, the issue remained a problem for many years to come.

The results of the war quickly ended France’s political and cultural influences in North America. While England gained massive amounts of land and vastly strengthened its hold on the continent and its colonies, it badly damaged the relationship between England and the Native Americans. This worsening relationship between England and its colonies was what eventually led into the Revolutionary War.